CA alum, Harvard team swim for cancer research

This Sunday, former Canandaigua Academy student Will Brophy will be swimming for a cause. Now a junior at Harvard University, Brophy and 30 other members of the Harvard Men’s Swimming and Diving team will host a swim-a-thon fundraiser for cancer research through the Swim Across America organization.

This Sunday, former Canandaigua Academy student Will Brophy will be swimming for a cause.

Now a junior at Harvard University, Brophy and 30 other members of the Harvard Men’s Swimming and Diving team will host a swim-a-thon fundraiser for cancer research through the Swim Across America organization.

“My whole team is participating,” said Brophy. “We come from pretty diverse backgrounds and wanted to give back to the community. This is something we could all get behind.”

The event is set to take place at the Harvard Pool on Sunday, April 7, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

“We have a pretty big pool, so we’re hosting it,” said Brophy, “and there are a number of other teams that will come out and participate as well.”

On a personal note, Brophy said, he’ll be swimming in honor of his grandpa, Bill Sweeney, and former Canandaigua Academy coach and teacher Robert Dedrick, who died in June 2012 after a nine-month battle with stomach cancer.

Mr. Dedrick, 36, was known to family and friends as “Deeds” and taught earth science at the school for 10 years. He also coached track and soccer.

“He was a teacher of mine when I was in school,” said Brophy. “He really made an impact on the whole community, and he had a big impact on me as well. Anything we can do to keep him our memory is good in my opinion.”

“This foundation does a really great job of appropriating resources and fighting cancer and trying help the cause of cancer research,” said Brophy. “I’d really love the community’s support in doing so. We’re accepting contributions before the swim and after. Anyone can contribute, or even just (spreading) the word would be great.”

Brophy was a four-year letterman for the Canandaigua Academy swim team; served as team captain as a junior and senior; and was named Daily Messenger Swimmer of the Year in 2008, 2009 and 2010. He is a school record-holder in the 50, 100 and 200 freestyle and 200 individual medley.